Friday News, October 19

St. Joseph Church To Be Dedicated On Sunday

(Le Mars) -- The new St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars is scheduled to be formally dedicated on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Bishop Walker Nicless will be handed the keys to the building by Ryan Wiltgen of Wiltgen Construction, the General Contractor for the church, and Kevin Strehle from BCDM, the architects of the new church. After the doors are formally opened for the first time, everyone present will proceed into the church together. During the liturgy, the church will be blessed with holy water and anointed at twelve consecration points throughout the church, and then the altars in the church and in the chapel. Following the liturgy, there will be a light reception.

Hinton Fire Department Battles Vacant House Fire

(Hinton) -- Hinton's Fire Department had to respond to a vacant house fire on Thursday. The call came in at about 12:20 p.m. and fire crews were on the scene at 23019 Glacier Road for at least six hours. Sioux City and Merrill Fire Departments offered assistance to that fire.

Museum To Host Haunted House

(Le Mars) -- There will be plenty of activities scheduled at the Plymouth County Historical Museum this weekend. On Saturday evening, the spooks and goblins will be out in full force with the first ever "Night at the Museum". "Candy at the Cabin" for those nine and under will open the evening, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Children will receive candy until 7:00 p.m., or as long as the candy is available. Wrapping up the "night at the Museum" will be a haunted house in the basement of the museum from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The public is welcome to tour the "night at the Museum Haunted House, but anyone younger than nine must be accompanied by an adult. The events are free.

Summerside To Present Civil War Battle At Museum

(Le Mars) -- The Plymouth County Historical Museum will host Nathan Summerside of Le Mars as he presents the battle of Corinth, Mississippi during a Civil War program at the Museum. The battle occurred in October of 1862. Summerside's program is one of a series the Museum is hosting in honor of the Civil War's 150th anniversary. Summerside will speak in the Museum's "Old Central" Gym where he will have a diorama of the battle that can be viewed from the bleacher seating. Summerside notes that the battle is special because it features the most Iowa troops used in any one battle.

Auditor's Office To Be Open On Saturday, October 27th

(Le Mars) -- The Plymouth County Auditor's office will be open next Saturday, October 27th from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of registering to vote and voting an absentee ballot in the November 6th General Election.

PAC's Get Involved With Congressional Race

(Le Mars) -- A lot of attention has been focused on the upcoming Congressional race between Steve King and Christie Vilsack, including television ads that have been financed by Political Action Committees, or PACs. Many times the television ads from PACs are confusing because voters believe the candidates are responsible for the message. Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack says she is not in favor of the PAC ads. Listen to

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The Humane Society of the United States has devoted half of its political budget, nearly $500,000 directed towards ads attacking Steve King. King tells KLEM news that the HSUS is trying to distort his record.

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King has been targeted, specifically over comments he had regarding dog fights, and for not voting in favor of legislation that would limit dog fighting. King says there is no need for such legislation, since many states, including Iowa, already has such legislation. Vilsack offered her comments on the issue Wednesday evening when she visited Le Mars.

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King says he does like dogs.

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Winter May Be Warmer and Drier Than Normal

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Parts of drought-stricken Iowa, Nebraska and much of the Midwest are expected to be warmer and drier than normal in early winter. The National Weather Service forecast maps issued Thursday show higher-than-normal temperatures are expected over the next three months for the western third of Iowa and all of Nebraska. But lower-than-normal moisture is expected for the eastern third ofNebraska and all of Iowa. Mike Halpert, of the weather service's Climate Prediction Center, says the predictions "are the weather service's best guess, based on a variety of computer models. " Iowa state climatologist Harry Hillaker says "the clock is ticking" on refilling Iowa's soil with moisture before the winter freeze.

Midwest Economic Conditions Improve

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An index of economic conditions in 10 Midwest and Western states jumped this month after three months of drought-induced doldrums. The Rural Mainstreet survey of rural bankers rose to 56.6 for October from 48.3 in September. It was the first time since June that the index rose above growth neutral 50. Survey organizers say any score above 50 on the 100-point scale suggests the economy will grow in the months ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the effects of the drought are being more than offset by high incomes from high agriculture and energy prices. The survey covers Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.